Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy

  Chapter 20

  Snow Globe

  The walls of Headmaster Thrillkill’s office seemed to close in. Amanda was so stunned at the news about her father that she had to grab a chair to keep from falling over. Her heart started to pound and she couldn’t breathe. Thrillkill just stood there looking at her with that blank expression he always wore.

  Then he softened for the first time. “I know this is a shock. Let me assure you that the authorities are doing everything they can to find your father and bring him home safely. Don’t you worry.” He came over and patted her hand.

  “I don’t understand,” said Amanda. “Are you sure he’s been kidnapped?”

  “Unfortunately yes. He was taken on the street a half block from his office. Two men tripped him with a banana peel and shoved him into a van.” His look was solicitous.

  Amanda moved in front of the chair she was holding and sat down. “Criminals. They finally got him.” Maybe her father had known this was coming. Perhaps that was why he’d been acting so strange. Now that she thought about it, he’d seemed almost fearful at home. Was that possible? If so, why hadn’t he hired a bodyguard? Or was the acting weird about something else entirely?

  “Yes,” said Thrillkill softly.

  “What do they want?” she said.

  “They haven’t said.”

  “No ransom demand?”

  “No, dear,” he said gently. “But the Met are on the case—”

  “You mean the kidnappers didn’t say not to involve the police?” She jerked her hand away and knocked the headmaster’s hair dryer onto the floor. It made a loud clattering noise. “Oh, sorry.”

  “Yes, they did,” he said, picking it up. It looked a bit battered. “But the Yard is highly experienced in these matters. They’ll bring your father back safe and sound.”

  Amanda thought about the Great Train Robbery. They hadn’t found the loot from that one yet. Or figured out who Jack the Ripper was.

  “With all due respect, Professor,” she said, “I don’t think so. They’re going to take the money and kill him anyway. He has a lot of enemies.” Enemies she’d never wanted to think about. Enemies he’d only hinted at, but every time he’d done so, she’d felt chills. She didn’t even like the word “enemy.” It sounded scary.

  “We all have enemies,” he said. “Many of these criminals aren’t as tough as they seem. They talk and act like big shots, but inside they’re just as scared as you and I. They don’t want to go to jail.”

  As scared as you and I? Surely Thrillkill wasn’t afraid of anything.

  “Now I know this is difficult, but I want you to go about your business normally. I will keep you informed, but you must try to stay calm. If you need someone to talk to, I suggest you consult Professor Also. She is a very reassuring voice and she knows a lot about these things.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Keep your phone on and I will text you as soon as I receive news. Now go back to your classes.”

  “Yes, sir.”